By Fortune Abang
A cross section of ministers have assured Nigerians in Diaspora of the Federal Government’s resolve to overhaul the nation’s economy and make it competitive in the global arena.
The ministers gave the assurance at the 6th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) on Tuesday in Abuja.
The summit with the theme: “New vista, new aspirations, new vision: The Diaspora and national development”, which began on Nov.
13 will end on Nov.
15.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, who officially inaugurated the Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme, explained that the initiative is designed to tackle housing deficiency for Nigerians in Diaspora.
Dangiwa said the ministry would sustain the strategic collaborations and partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the housing sector.
“Nigerians in Diaspora should see opportunities in the scheme, where they are able to actualise their dreams of affordable homes in the country of origin.
“It is my hope that the Diaspora community would take advantage of the initiative and subscribe in the long term and short term,” he said.
Also speaking, Minister of Sports Development, Sen.
John Enoh, assured the Diasporas of the government’s resolve to overhaul the sports industry and make it a veritable platform upon which the country can achieve set objectives.
“In every thriving country of the world, you find at least a Nigerian involved.
“This is amidst several challenges they face.
“Therefore, we have a sole responsibility for the development of sports in Nigeria and sports has the power to unite and transform more people than every other sector,” Enoh said.
Similarly, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, promised to do everything within the ambit of the mandate of the ministry to tackle issues around international passport registration processes.
According to him, such would ensure Nigerians process their passport as soon as possible and collect the same without stress.
“We will not relent until it becomes as seamless as possible.
“A situation where we have only one passport office in Canada is not acceptable.
We will decentralise it.
“We must improve service delivery by giving passports to the people and not people running to office before December we are changing the whole dynamics.
“The only thing when it comes to passport application process in any office either in Nigeria or in the diaspora is just going to be biometrics and that is all,” Tunji-Ojo assured.
Meanwhile, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, called for collaborative support from Nigerians in Diaspora to achieve more meaningful growth.
Dabiri-Erewa said, “We are blessed in the world; in medicine, engineering, education, and all sectors in every part of the world that we are excelling, why can’t we translate this back in Nigeria.
“There is a frame of potential in Nigerians in the Diaspora, so I am glad we have been able to do everything in that regard.
”
The event was attended by representatives of Governors of Rivers and Enugu State, Director-General of Technical Cooperation in Africa, among others.
Highpoint of the event was tribute to late Oluchi Ironkwe, Admin/Legal Coordinator, Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative, plenary on agribusinesses, pitching and tour of exhibition.
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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